DOJ's DEA Spends $132K on Translation Services via BPA Call, Lacking Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $132,569 ($132.6K)

Contractor: Metlang LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-05-10

Contract Duration: 39 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRANSLATION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30308

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $132,568.62 to METLANG LLC for work described as: TRANSLATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Spending on translation services is essential for agencies like the DEA to fulfill their mission. 2. The current contract was not competed under SAP, raising questions about price discovery. 3. Reliance on a single BPA call without further competition may limit cost savings. 4. The sector for professional services, including translation, is competitive, suggesting potential for better pricing.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The award amount of $132,568.62 for a 39-day period appears high without a clear per-unit cost benchmark. The lack of competition makes it difficult to assess if this price is reasonable compared to market rates for similar translation services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded via a BPA call and explicitly stated as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. This indicates a limited competition approach, potentially missing opportunities to leverage a broader competitive landscape for better pricing and service.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being spent without clear evidence of achieving the best possible value due to the limited competitive process.

Public Impact

Ensures critical communication for law enforcement and judicial processes. Supports multilingual interactions in sensitive investigations. Facilitates access to justice for non-English speakers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Limited price discovery
Short contract duration

Positive Signals

Essential service provision
Supports agency mission

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector, which includes translation and interpretation, is vast. While specific benchmarks for translation services are hard to pinpoint without service details, agencies typically aim for competitive bidding to secure favorable rates.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were considered or participated in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made via a BPA call, suggesting some level of pre-competed framework. However, the lack of further competition on this specific call warrants oversight to ensure fair pricing and service.

Related Government Programs

Translation and Interpretation Services
Department of Justice Contracting
Drug Enforcement Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for overpayment
Lack of transparency in price discovery
Missed opportunity for small business engagement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $132,568.62 to METLANG LLC. TRANSLATION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is METLANG LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $132,568.62.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-05-10.

What is the typical per-hour or per-word rate for translation services in the geographic region of the DEA's need?

Typical rates for professional translation services can vary significantly based on language pair, complexity, urgency, and translator experience. In the US, rates can range from $0.15 to $0.50 per word, or $50 to $150 per hour for specialized services. Without knowing the specific languages and subject matter, it's difficult to benchmark this $132K award precisely.

What are the risks associated with not competing this requirement under SAP?

The primary risk is paying a higher price than necessary due to a lack of competitive pressure. It also limits the agency's ability to discover innovative solutions or access a wider pool of qualified vendors, potentially impacting service quality or responsiveness in the long run.

How effective is the current BPA call mechanism for ensuring value in translation services?

BPA calls can be effective if the underlying BPA was competitively awarded and includes clear pricing structures. However, if the call itself is not competed or if the BPA's terms are not regularly reviewed, it may not guarantee the best value, especially for specialized or high-volume needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Translation and Interpretation Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1815 GRIFFIN RD, DANIA, FL, 33004

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $132,569

Exercised Options: $132,569

Current Obligation: $132,569

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15DDHQ25A00000027

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline